As I sit in this Metro-North train departing Grand Central on my way to work, I cannot begin to express my overwhelming gratitude to this program and what it has given me. So, I find it appropriate for this to be a letter of thanks to MSBA for its goal to lead and expose the next generation of sports business executives to the industry we all dream of someday being a part of. I can tell you that this goal has been accomplished.
Last week, in what was perhaps my favorite moment of the summer so far (and trust me, that’s saying something), we visited the brand new Bleacher Report offices on Broadway. We were welcomed by a diverse panel of social media strategists, video production specialists, and brand partnership executives who encompass what the sports world is about – a panel so different in their crafts combined to create something uniform and special. That is the beauty of this industry – the depth of skillsets that come together to achieve a goal. So thank you MSBA, for allowing me to learn from industry professionals I otherwise could not have dreamt of ever meeting.
“So here’s to what’s left – to the learning, the exposure, and the interacting. It has truly been a life-changing experience. Oh, and one more time: thank you.”
Beyond the always impressive Office Field Trips and Speakers, my internship at the USTA has also been an eye-opening lens into the industry. Working as a Digital and Ticketing Strategy Intern, I get to interact with brand partners like JP Morgan Chase and IBM to strategize their approach to digital marketing on the US Open’s web and mobile platforms. I’ve also worked closely with the brand partnerships team and hospitality in our united effort to make the US Open a success for sponsors and fans alike. The behind-the-scenes action of what goes into executing one of the largest sporting events in the world will never cease to amaze me. Again, I must thank MSBA for being the provider of this opportunity.
Even with all of this exposure under my belt, I cannot wait for the last couple of weeks ahead. Tomorrow we are going to NBC Sports and next week we’re trekking to The Players’ Tribune, Twitter, American Express, and the NFL. So here’s to what’s left – to the learning, the exposure, and the interacting. It has truly been a life-changing experience. Oh, and one more time: thank you.